It looks like the once unthinkable is now upon us. Sales of premium mico cars such as the Mini and Smart are soaring. If you go to buy a Smart tomorrow, you'll likely have to wait a year before you can drive away in one; and Mini sales are showing a 34-percent increase over this time last year.
Makes you wonder how long before we see other luxury brands such as Lexus, Acura, etc. offer micro cars here?
Here's AutoObserver's take: Mini Is Feeling Mighty As U.S. Market Motors Its Way
Here's Karl on Cars' take: Small Cars Don't Require Small Expectations or Small Spending Power
wildbill1978 says:
11:24 AM, 07/23/08
I think this is great for the market. I think there has been this stereotype that a small car has to be a cheap car. I hope that the challenge of making the best small luxury car takes over the current horsepower wars.
With how much I drive I don't need a 300hp ride. I would be fine with less, but I want all the creature comforts that come with the 300hp luxury car. The only car I can say really fits the bill of the up market brands right now is the Acura TSX. Everyone thought they were crazy to put only 200hp in the car, but they might have been the smart ones after all.
blueguydotcom says:
02:17 PM, 07/23/08
Too bad the TSX is a tank. If it were 400 lbs lighter I'd consider one. But with that heavy body and the inefficient engine I can't convince myself it's worth it.
hondacura4 says:
07:09 PM, 07/23/08
Given Acura has a few cars it will debut within the next 36 months (a new model or trim every 6 months), Id like to say we will see something positioned under the TSX. I know there is a convertible as well as a coupe (sub-NSX successor) in the works also.
estreka says:
02:13 PM, 07/24/08
The RSX didn't do so hot and the direction Acura is going with their styling does not inspire confidence. The Integra was a fantastic car, though.
I don't foresee luxury nameplates offering subcompacts in the US. People who value perception are more likely to find themselves in a Prius where they can flaunt their green credentials.
blueguydotcom says:
04:42 PM, 07/24/08
Diesel TSX is coming and supposedly Honda's diesel is crazy efficient.
hondacura4 says:
05:28 PM, 07/26/08
"The RSX didn't do so hot and the direction Acura is going with their styling does not inspire confidence. The Integra was a fantastic car, though."
The RSX was a decent car it just didnt have that certain.......something the Integra had. It was missing that one crutial ingredient which I cant quite put my finger on. Honda got the suspension geometry on that car all wrong and the revisions for 05-06 models really help it. By then it was too late as the Si made its presence known.
The Integra/RSX has always been a really nice Civic and should have been marketed as a Honda from the start.
Id like to see Acura offer a 3/5 door hatch...something along the lines of a higher end Golf/GTi/A3. Something with that kind of build quality, premium features and performance above the whole Civic line. Offer a direct injected version of the K23 turbo found in the RDX with the choice of a 6MT or a 6 speed DSG type tranny.
This car wouldnt be as high strung as the Si, more relaxed during long trips. I love the Si buts its still a bit too high strung for a lot of people (Im not one of them) so this Acura hatch I speak of could maybe capture that certain buyer.